Independent producer, engineer and composer and owner of Elmwood Recording Studios in Dallas. Principal songwriter of The Paper Chase and The Nighty Nite. Producer for St Vincent, Explosions in the Sky, Decemberists, Future Islands and more.

"Art that doesn't challenge is not interesting to me. I'm intoxicated by the stuff I don't understand, 'cause at the end of the day I — if I get something out of that, I'm a better producer, I'm a better listener, I'm a better everything." – John Congleton interviewed on NPR

Producer of some of the most cutting edge music over the past ten years, Grammy award-winning producer John Congleton is known for challenging the artists with whom he works and the listeners who enjoy their work. From his astounding drums sounds to the aggressive guitar sounds he conjures, Congleton defines modern record production.

Starting as a teenager in Dallas, Congleton studied and learned the craft of engineering from the ground up. While recording bands on the local scene, he developed into an engineer of note. Soon he was being called to record projects as diverse as Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, all the while continuing to work with the local indie rock scene. He took a break from Dallas to spend a year in Chicago working at Electrical Audio under the legendary Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, Bush etc) where he honed his now legendary quickness where he instinctually commits to the perfect sound. The speed at which he works continues to be a hallmark of technique.

Upon returning to Dallas, Congleton quickly established himself as the best producer in town. Soon he was producing the cream of the Dallas scene with albums by Midlake, Explosions in the Sky and Polyphonic Spree making a splash in the international indie rock scene. It was while working with the Polyphonic Spree he met Annie Clark, now better known as St. Vincent. Their partnership over six albums has won Grammy awards and been universally praised by critics as some of the most important music of our times.

In addition to his production work, Congleton has found time to release and tour behind seven albums and countless EP’s of original music released as The Paper Chase and John Congleton & the Nighty Nite.

Now based in Los Angeles, Congleton continues to grow and flourish. In addition to the repeat business from long-time clients, he’s now established among the best of the best. Recent productions of note include Sharon Van Etten, Future Islands, Decemberists, Wallows, Kimbra and many, many more.

“Congleton excels at finding a sound that’s complicated and idiosyncratic but still lush and heavily orchestrated.” - Stereogum

“At 38 years young, John Congleton is pretty much already a legend” - Consequence Of Sound